I’ve always been up for adventure. Somewhere in my teenage years, after school, I lost touch with that side of myself. But like they say, what you are will eventually find its way back. In my twenties, when I began working as a teacher, that spark returned. The sense of wonder, the childlike curiosity—it came rushing back.
Teaching was never something I envisioned for myself. I come from a family of educators, and I’d often hear my grandfather say, “Teaching is in our blood.” I never took it seriously and continued with engineering, certain of my path. But life had its own plans. A few key moments redirected me toward education. At the time, I wasn’t sure, but now, I’m so glad I trusted my instincts. In choosing this path, I rediscovered myself. Maybe because the child in me came alive again.
As a child, I always dreamed of traveling the world. I admired those who could just step onto a plane with a backpack and an open heart, ready to explore the unknown. I would spend my summer breaks collecting pictures of places and people from around the globe, organizing them by continent and country in homemade travel folders. Subconsciously, I think I always yearned to experience the magic of travel.
One memory stands out clearly. The first country I ever heard about, apart from my own, was Denmark. I must have been four years old when I met someone from there. Ever since, I’d tell my friends made-up stories about my “summer trips to Denmark.” It became my favorite imaginary destination.
Years passed. I got busy growing up, and somewhere along the way, I forgot about that childhood dream.
Travel had even become something I avoided. My travel sickness made it hard to enjoy going anywhere. I would usually find a reason to stay back.
But life has a way of nudging you toward the things you’re meant to do.
As an international exchange coordinator, I was responsible for organizing student exchange programmes with European schools, and suddenly, travel wasn’t optional anymore. It was part of the job.
Taking that first leap, despite my fear of travel sickness, was tough. But I considered the idea, gave it space, and slowly, things started to shift. The fear began to fade. The world opened up.
And guess what? The first school and the first country I ever had an exchange programme with was Denmark.
I travelled across the country, and it felt like I had been there a hundred times before. There was no culture shock. No first-timer panic. It felt like I had always been coming there.
Years later, when I was finally about to take my first-ever trip abroad to Denmark, a childhood friend reminded me of those stories and said, “Looks like your childhood lie is finally coming true!” And it did. A country I dreamt of as a child, one not often spoken about back then, became the first real place I explored.
What started as a way to “show off” that I was traveling eventually led me to something deeper. I began to understand the essence of human connection through meeting people, embracing new cultures, and stepping outside my comfort zone. I trusted my instincts, chose my own path, and created a life that reflects who I truly am.
It took courage. It took patience. I didn’t know if it would work.
But I listened to myself at the right time, and I’m so grateful I did!